Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel attacked by gunmen

An official said three bombers had blown themselves up at the Intercontinental Hotel and another had been shot dead.

Later, Nato said two of its helicopters had killed three attackers on the roof.

Kabul's police chief told the BBC that troops had entered the hotel and that all the guests were safe.

After an operation lasting more than four hours, officials said all the attackers had been killed.

Interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqi told AFP that the seven killed were all Afghans and did not include the insurgents who died. He said eight other people had been wounded and the number of casualties could rise.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group was behind the attack.

The Intercontinental is one of Kabul's best-known hotels and is popular with Westerners. It is situated on a hill in the west of the city.

Officials said a meeting of provincial governors taking place at the hotel might have been the reason for the attack.